Overhyped AI Claims Risk Deterring People From Tech Careers, Raspberry Pi Founder Warns
Exaggerating what artificial intelligence can do threatens to discourage young people from pursuing technology jobs and damage economic growth, according to Eben Upton, founder of British computer maker Raspberry Pi.
Upton told the BBC that inflated claims about AI's abilities could "distort people's choices in ways that make that skill shortage worse and not better." He cautioned against widespread predictions that AI will eliminate vast numbers of computing roles in the coming years.
The concern centres on a real problem. Tools like ChatGPT and Claude have sparked predictions of mass job losses for tech workers. Amazon, Meta and Microsoft have each blamed tens of thousands of layoffs on AI over the past year.
Some industry observers have suggested these companies are using AI as cover for cutting headcount after aggressive hiring during the pandemic.
The Skills Pipeline Risk
Upton said overestimating what chatbots can do risks undoing years of work to encourage people into technology careers. "It's possible to get caught up in this," he said. "This is the risk of damage right in this moment of incredible enthusiasm for what are genuinely incredible tools."
The uncertainty creates a real problem for young people. Parents and students face questions about which subjects to pursue without reliable data. "We have no data to inform a rational decision on that," Upton said. "The answer is: wait five years, wait 10 years, and then maybe we might know something."
He warned the phenomenon could harm economic growth. "Absolutely," he said when asked. "We need a supply of engineers."
Context: Raspberry Pi's Role
Raspberry Pi manufactures the most widely sold computers made by a UK firm. The devices are popular with hobbyist programmers and educational institutions.
Upton founded the company in 2012 after noticing young people were losing computing skills as mobile phones and games consoles replaced devices they could easily program. The company floated on the London Stock Exchange in 2024.
Broader Economic Pressures
Beyond AI concerns, Upton highlighted another barrier to UK tech manufacturing: energy costs. Britain has faced among the highest energy prices in the G7 in recent years.
"About the only reason I wouldn't do engineering build objects in the UK is the high cost of energy, and we need to do something about that," Upton said.
He noted the cost of energy affects labour expenses directly. Companies must pay workers enough to cover their living costs, which rise when household energy prices climb.
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